Apparatus for regulating the flow and pressure of gas in gas-wells



Patented Nov. 1.3, 1883.

W. E. KARNS.

1N GAS WELLS.

(No Model.) v

APPARATUS POR-REGULATING'THB PLOW AND PRESSURE 0F GAS NiTnfD STATES PATENT Orrrcno VILLIAM t E. KA RNS, OF PARKER S LANDING, PENNSYLVANIA.

APPARATUS FORREGULAIING THE FLOW AND PRESSURE F GAS IN GAS-WELLS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.` 288,446, dated November 13, 1883. Application led August 24, 1883. (No model.)

t ratus for Regulating the Flow and Pressure of Gas in Natural Gas-Vells5 and I do hereby .declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, which forms apart of this specification, andin which the figure is a vertical sectional view of a gaswell sh owing umy impro ved apparatus for regulating the flow and pressure of gas in natural gaswells in operative position.

My invention has relation to apparatus for regulating the flow and pressure of gas in natural gas-wells; and it consists in the improved constructionand combination of parts of the same, as will be hereinafter more fully described andclaimed. l 4

Heretofore in striking natural gas-wells there has been no way of controlling the iiow of gas, so that what was not consumed was allowed to go to waste.

t The object of my invention is to conne the gas in the rock from whence it comes, except t as it is actually required for use.

I am aware that oil-well tubes and tubing have been heretofore constructed provided with an automatic check-valve having weights or a spring and screw for regulating the degrec of pressure that must be exerted before the valve will open.

In the accompanying drawing, A represents a metal cylinder, open at each end, and provided at either t end with anges YB and packing-rings B, of any suitablematerial, a series of apertures, B, extending around the cylinder A at a point midway between its extremities.

O indicates a circular valve fitting upon the outside of the cylinder A, and provided with a cross-bar, C', which slides in longitudinal slots C in opposite sides of the cylinder A.

D represents the rod b'y which'the valve Gis actuated, and which may be made either solid, or can be conveniently made of sections of ordinary gas-pipe suitably fastened together. The

lower end of the rod D is secured to the center of the cross-bar C', while its upper end passes through the cap which covers the well to prevent the escape of gas, and is pivoted to the lever E. A

E represents the distributing-pipe, having a valve, F', by which 'the amount of gas passing through the said pipe is regulated.

G represents a metal cylinder, which is closed at either end, and is connected to the cap covering the mouth of the well by a pipe, Gl G 7to the side of the said cap. Inside of the cylinder G works the piston H, the piston-rod H having its free end enlarged and provided `with a slot, I, through which the lever E The lever E is pivoted at one end to, a post or standard, J, the free end of the lever passes.

passing through the slotted end of the pistonrod PI', and having upon its extremity aweight, K, for the purpose hereinafter described.

I am aware that oil-well tubes and tubing have been heretofore constructed provided with an automatic check-valve and means or mechanism for regulating the degree of pressure that must be exerted before the said valve will open. I therefore'do not claim, broadly, an automatic check-valve; neither do I claim, broadly, a check-valve provided with means or mechanism for regulating the amount of pressure which must be exerted before the said valve will open.

rlhe manner of operating my improved apparatus for regulating the ilow and pressure of gas in natural gas-wells is as follows: The hollow cylinderA is attached to the lower end of the pipe or rod D and lowered into the well until its lower flange and packing-ring pass below the gas-vein, its upper flange and packing-ring being above thegas-vein. The pressure of the gas on the two packing-rings forms tight joints and connes the gas in the rock and around the cylinder A. The valve C can now be adjusted by raising or lowering the rod D, so as to open the apertures B to any desired width. When the desired pressure is acquired, the rod D isattached to the lever E, which in turn is connected with the pistonrod H. The valve C is adjusted`l` so that the amount of gas flowing into the well will be equalto the utmost capacity of the distribut ing-pipe F. If at any time the valve F is extending from the bottom of the cylinder ICO of the United Statespartially shut, so as to lessen the amount of gas passing through the distributing-pipe, the undue pressure of the overplus of gas thus conned in the Well Will force a portion of the gas through the pipe G into the lower end of the cylinder G. The pressure of the gas thus admitted raises the piston H, which in turn elevates the free end of the lever E, thereby, by means of the rod D, raising the circular valve C, so as to still further close the apertures B and lessen the amount of gas admitted into the Well. When the valve F is again opened so as to allow the gas to pass freely through the distributing-pipe F, and thereby relieve the gas in the vwell from all undue pressure, the Weight K on the extremity of the free end of the lever E will force the piston H downto the bottom of the cylinder G, thereby lowering the rod D and circular valve C into their former Working position.

From the foregoing description, taken in Connection with the accompanying drawing, the construction and operation of my improved apparatus for regulating the iloW and pressure of gas in natural gas-Wells Will readily be understood without requiring further explanation. v

It will be seen that myimproved apparatus is simple in construction, and, being devoid of all complicated parts, is not liablekto break at any point or to get out of Working order, While by its use all waste of gas is prevented.

It is obvious that the valve G ma;T slide in- 'side of the cylinder A instead of outside, as

the result would be precisely the same.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent l. In an apparatus for regulating the iioW and pressure of gas in natural gas-Wells of substantially the described construction, the combination of the cylinder A, open at either end, h-aving a flange, B', and packing-ring B at either end, and provided with a series of apertures, B, extending around it centrally, circular valve C, having cross-bar G, sliding in longitudinal slots C in opposite sides of the cylinder A, and means by which the said valve may be raised or lowered, as and for the purpose shown and set forth.

2. In an apparatus for regulating the flow and pressure of gas in natural gas-Wells of substantially the described construction, the combination of the cylinder A, open at either end, having a iiange, B', and packing-ring Bl at either end, and provided with a series of apertures, B, extending around it centrally,

circular valve C, havin 0 cross-bar C slidinoP in VILLIAM E. KABNS.

Vitiiesses SAMUEL J. FRYER, XV. W. S. Gurn-ARD. 

